German-Canadian New Bridges Program

 2019

Call for applications. Download HERE

Atlantik-Brücke is an organization that has been at the forefront of efforts to deepen cooperation between Germany and Canada for decades. Its annual German-Canadian conference is an intimate, invite-only gathering of leaders and decision-makers. Organized with the support of The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, the German-Canadian conference is now in its 34th year.

2019 will mark the first time, however, that Atlantik-Brücke will integrate a standalone program for up-and-coming Germans and Canadians interested in furthering our transatlantic relationship. The German-Canadian New Bridges Program intends to facilitate the “next generation” of German-Canadian partnerships in business, government, academia and the arts.

The group of 10 Germans and Canadians will participate in an in-depth, week-long exchange on current and future challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. Topics of discussion will include technology’s disruptive impact on politics, the economy and society, changing geopolitical realities, and the future of economic progress and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The delegation will take part in a program in Toronto before traveling to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where they will be observers at Atlantik-Brücke’s annual German-Canadian Conference. Alumni of the New Bridges program are to stay actively involved in the Atlantik-Brücke network. The New Bridges program is produced in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canada and the Embassy of Canada in Berlin.

Aim:

  • to foster greater understanding of the German-Canadian relationship among the younger generations and to provide them an opportunity to make lasting transatlantic connections
  • to learn first-hand about another country’s society, political institutions, history and culture
  • to create a young German-Canadian alumni network
  • to increase Canadian presence in the network of Atlantik-Brücke

Format:

  • 10 participants (German, Canadian, gender-balanced)
  • annual, five-day program in two different cities (conference location plus one additional city). Location will alternate between Germany and Canada to coincide with the annual German-Canadian conference.
  • the program entails meetings and discussions with decision-makers from various sectors and may include visits to museums, site visits and memorials.
  • the program culminates with participants being observers at the annual German-Canadian conference.

Successful applicants will:

  • be Canadian or German citizens between the ages of 26 and 32.
  • demonstrate leadership in their professional careers.
  • show a strong interest in the German-Canadian partnership and in political, economic and social issues.
  • demonstrate willingness to contribute to the Atlantik-Brücke network.
  • be from any of a wide-range of business, government, media, military, non-profit, finance, academia or the arts.
  • women and gender minorities as well as people of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to ensure a diversity of perspectives.

Costs:

Atlantik-Brücke will cover roundtrip flights, transportation within Canada, accommodation, group meals and other incidentals (e.g. entrance fees). Flights will be arranged by program organizers.

Dates of Travel:

Inbound flights to Toronto/start of trip: Monday, April 29, 2019;

Outbound flights from Toronto/end of the trip: Saturday, May 4, 2019 (German flights will arrive the next day)

Applications:

Deadline is April 1, 2019 at 23:59 PT.

To apply:

Step 1: complete three short-answer questions HERE

Step 2: submit your résumé via email to Zachary.biggs@ucalgary.ca with a subject line in the format: [Surname] New Bridges Application. Résumés should include the names of two references we may contact.

NOTE: All résumés and short-answer question responses must be in English.

About Atlantik-Brücke e.V.:

Atlantik-Brücke e.V. is a private, non-profit organization that has been fostering transatlantic relations for sixty years. Founded by Eric M. Warburg, Atlantik-Brücke was established to build a bridge between the U.S. and Germany and enable better mutual understanding, especially in the fields of politics, economics, and culture. Atlantik-Brücke is a Berlin-based member organization; its 500 members represent the top decision-makers from business, politics, academia and the media.

Contact:
Should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Zak Biggs. We look forward to receiving your application!